Establishing continuous validation practices

Validation is not a one-time step. As projects evolve, specifications should evolve too. Treat the product spec as a living document that reflects what has been learned through new data, user feedback, or technical constraints. Schedule regular checkpoints, such as after sprint reviews or feature releases, to revisit whether the documented requirements still describe how the product works.

To make validation continuous, teams can:

• Reconnect user testing or analytics data back to specific requirements in the spec.
• Document every change, along with its reason and the evidence behind it.
• Use collaborative tools that store version history, comments, and updates in one place.

Continuous validation helps catch early deviations between what was planned and what is being delivered. Over time, this practice builds a specification that stays accurate, reliable, and reflective of real product behavior.